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Weekly Roundup: Google Launches Google Station for Free WiFi in Nigeria!

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Vivian Nonye
July 27, 2018
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Lots of amazing tech news, events, and reviews took place this week, including the announcement of free WiFi in five locations in Lagos state at the just-concluded Google for Nigeria event. Amongst other stories, we have also curated a list of the top searches on Google this week.

So, here is bringing you a summary of all that happened during the week.

Google’s Updates will Deepen Broadband and Smartphone Penetration in Nigeria

At the second edition of the #GoogleForNigeria Event in Lagos Yesterday, Google Nigeria announced some new updates and products geared towards improving users’ experience.

Some of the key announcements yesterday include the launch of a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots called Google Stations in cities across the country. Lots of Nigerians especially Lagosians were happy about the announcement

These free public WiFi services, otherwise known as Google Stations would help Google roll-out WiFi hotspots in public places across Nigeria hereby providing access to the Internet to millions.

According to Mrs. Ehimuan-Chiazor, the initiative would ease the strain of affordability and access to data as well as help inch towards the broadband penetration goal of the country. Such a good initiative!

Getting Around Lagos Just Got Easier with the AI Bot, Lara.ng

Lara is an artificial intelligence bot that gives you directions via public transportation (Buses, Keke, Taxis, LagBus) to and from anywhere in Lagos.

Typically, getting to unfamiliar grounds in Lagos would require you asking friends and family members for directions. People who are more tech-savvy ones could use google maps for directions. But in emergency situations, you probably ask from strangers –which is not so comfortable and safe. However, with Lara, users get public transit directions on-demand, 24/7.

You can head out to Lara.ng to check it out.

Instant Investing Platform, CowryWise Joins YCombinator Accelerator Programme

Nigerian FinTech startup, CowryWise, has joined the prestigious Ycombinator Summer 2018 Batch. With this development, the Fintech has joined a growing list of Nigerian and African start-ups that have participated in the YCombinator startup programme.

Founded in 2017 by Razaq Ahmed and Edward Popoola, the news comes as a big boost to the innovative startup. CowryWise is a FinTech company that helps its users save their money by investing in high-yield government bonds. Since its creation, the startup has helped to process over $1.5 million for its customers. That’s an impressive feat.

The startup also receives to support and mentorship from YCombinator’s network of investors, business people, among others.

Android Go, Bringing Smartphones into the Reach of Many

The demand for smartphones in emerging markets like Africa (Nigeria) is on the rise and because of low purchasing power, Android Go comes to the rescue.

Another exciting revelation at the Google for Nigeria event was the announcement that Google is rolling out a feature that reads web pages out loud and highlights each word so you can follow along. The name of the new feature is ” Google Go”.

Nigeria’s Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo was at the event this afternoon. He delivered an address in which he spoke on “how government leverages on digital to create change”. Professor Osinbajo noted that “all the gaps created by exclusion and inequality can be breached with technology.”

https://twitter.com/kaycee_61/status/1022436223372148736

Google shared a lot of exciting updates that will make life better and easier for a lot of people in Nigeria, indeed across Africa.

Top Searches by Nigerians on Google over the Last Week

Also during the week that just ended, some events and happenings made the top-searched list. For instance, most people needed Google’s help to find the NYSC’s website. Owing to this, the portal was one of the top searches by Nigerians over the week.

https://twitter.com/21debolee/status/1022193730185506817

Nigerians are a curious set of people. On Thursday, there were reports that the world would witness the longest lunar eclipse on 27 July. And of course, Nigerians wanted to know all about it.

Also, at the start of the week, fake news spread about the death of popular comedian and film actor, Mr. Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr. Bean. Many people went on Google Search to verify the news.

The search for Dino Melaye also increased once again on Thursday 26 July, following news that he had been kidnapped. Nigerians, of course, want to scoop all the gist on this matter.

Uber Celebrates Its Drivers With The Uber Free Kick Competition

A Lagos-based driver, Mr. Banjo Olayemi, won a brand new car from the ride-hailing service, Uber. The car award is part of the #uberFREEKICK competition, which seeks to encourage Uber drivers to be more committed and excellent at the services they render.

The winner, Mr. Banjo was all smiles as he picked up his new car at the Uber Green light Hub, a dedicated support centre for Uber partners in Lagos. “I am very happy to be the winner of the brand new car; I almost didn’t believe it…”

The competition began on June 18 and ended on July 15. It ran as a weekly competition, with an overall winner emerging at the end of the competition. Uber also celebrated its partners.

We hope you enjoyed this week’s roundup. Have a great weekend!

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